Snowy Valleys Council has its first mayor from Tumbarumba, Ian Chaffey, who won over incumbent leader James Hayes and former Liberal Party NSW election candidate Julia Ham.

Cr Chaffey drew five votes while Cr Hayes secured three and Cr Ham one.

Elected to council last month, Cr Chaffey was the last mayor of Tumbarumba Shire before it was merged with Tumut Council to become Snowy Valleys.

A former Tumut mayor Trina Thomson won the deputy mayoralty with five votes ahead of Cr Hayes and Cr Ham who each attracted two.

In taking the chair as mayor, Cr Chaffey said it was a privilege to be chosen.

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"Let me congratulate Cr Thomson on being elected deputy mayor, I hope between us we can provide a different style of leadership," he said.

Cr Chaffey's rise follows a saga to have the council demerged which was rejected last year by the then NSW Local Government Minister.

More than 350km away in Deniliquin on Tuesday, conveyancer Peta Betts was elected mayor of Edward River Council 7-2 over former deputy mayor Pat Fogarty.

She is the second mayor of the council which formed in 2016 after a merger of Deniliquin and Conargo local government areas.

Cr Betts succeeds Norm Brennan, who retired before last month's election and died suddenly on January 3.

She paid tribute to Mr Brennan in a mayoral minute that had been prepared by council general manager Philip Stone.

It noted Mr Brennan's 21 years of service to Conargo Shire, including 12 as mayor, and his lobbying on water issues and health care.

"He was known to the staff and councillors of Edward River and Conargo councils as a kind and decent man," Cr Betts said.

"We extend our sympathies to his wife Linda, his children, and grandchild and all those who loved him.

"Norm will be sadly missed and never forgotten."

A date is to be set but the council office will close to allow staff to attend the funeral and flags lowered to half mast outside the chamber.

The council will also help fund costs for Mr Brennan's wake.

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